UFC president Dana White finally found a way to settle the feud between Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen: have them coach opposite each other on season three of The Ultimate Fighter Brasil and then have them fight in the Octagon at season’s end.

That much is a done deal. But it’s not enough for Silva.

“Now it’s official, I will be responsible for representing our country, and I will make him pay for what he said about us,” Silva wrote on his Facebook page, but added that he wants to take things a step further.

Despite currently residing in Las Vegas, the former Pride FC champion wants to make TUF Brasil 3 a Brazil vs. USA themed show.

In its first two seasons, TUF Brasil has been comprised of Brazilian fighters and Brazilian coaches, becoming a useful tool for the UFC to scout out fighters from the South American country.

Silva said that he asked White for the country vs. country theme – him heading a team of Brazilians and Sonnen leading a team of Americans – because he didn’t feel that it made sense for Sonnen to coach Brazilian fighters.

Sonnen surely isn’t the most popular figure among Brazilian fans, as he has often made remarks about the country and its people in the lead-up to his fights with Anderson Silva.

“I don’t have anything against the Brazilian people. I got something against a Brazilian (Anderson Silva) that’s sitting a few feet from me and maybe with a couple of other gentlemen. But your women are all okay with me, so feel free to give me a call or pay me a visit,” he said during a press conference in Brazil promoting his second fight with Anderson Silva.

“But as far as my impression? It’s a lot like America. When I was a little kid, I remember going outside and sitting around with my friends. We’d talk about the latest technology and medicine and gaming and American ingenuity. And I would look outside and Anderson and the Brazilian kids are sitting outside playing in the mud.”

So perhaps Wanderlei is on to something.

But Sonnen has coached on The Ultimate Fighter before, opposite Jon Jones during Season 17. Despite his polarizing public persona, Sonnen came off as a dedicated and respected coach, committed to helping his team improve and succeed.

That hasn’t stopped Silva, however, who is recruiting his social media army on Twitter to bombard White with pressure to see it the “Axe Murderer” way and pit Brazilians against Americans on TUF Brasil 3.

Have 16 Brazilian fighters fight it out for 8 spots on Wanderlei’s team, and have 16 American fighters fight it out for 8 spots on Chael’s team.

Wolf Ticket

Well, last time Wanderlei was coach on TUF, only 1 of his guys was able to win the first fight (the score was 7-1 for team Belfort). No disrespect, but he really sucks as a coach and he might be looking for a way to hide this.

We all know, on average, brazillians on TUF are much better than the americans (probably because after so many TUF seasons in the US, almost all good fighters have been there before or are already in the UFC).

put me in the sauna coach

good point….the American’s talent pool has been fished in for some time now.

bajafox

It’s a good idea as far as ratings go. But a bad idea for Brazilians trying to get into the UFC. If they go this route, Wandy would have effectively eliminated half of the contestants being from his home country.

If I was a Brazilian fighter trying to make it into the UFC, I’d rather have Sonnen as my coach than no chance at all

I agree. And this could even be a bad idea. Wandy has a lot of American fans. This isn’t about country vs country it’s really about two fighters settling a score and up and coming talent from all over fighting against one another to crown a new ultimate fighter. I’m so sick of the whole country vs country thing. It creates an issue instead of bringing unity.There are talented fighters all over the world. This sport should be used to unite people from all over, the country vs country thing can wait until the sport is in the olympics.

Mark McDowall

I think if they did it and either mixed the teams or did Wand coach the US fighters and Chael coach the Brazilian team?

Now that would be very interesting. And put the twist on it at the last minute.

Mark McDowall

Exactly. Have the fighters fight to get in to the house.Then they announce the twist. Honestly I think it would be beneficial seeing as wrestling isn’t a strong focus in Brazil, and BJJ and that chute box style from Brazil is just nasty and totally different then you would learn in the US.

Mark McDowall

I agree it is a great idea…but it wont be shown on US TV so the ratings wont be as good as they could be. If it was on both here and in Brazil then hell yeah I love the idea!!

fairbairn613

if it has the US team, you can guarantee itll be shown on Fox Sports 1.

Mark McDowall

I hope your right id love to see this season.

put me in the sauna coach

first thing Wandy has said in a while that makes sense.

BobLemons

I think Sonnen coaching Brazilians could help improve Sonnens reputation in Brazil. Post Anderson beef, his negative image doesn’t do too many favours I imagine…

TheCerealKiller

If it doesn’t get aired on FX, who cares? I won’t be able to see it.

shakejunt

fs1 is basic cable

Mike mckinney

I doubt people only care about what you get to see. 😉

Dan Davis

I like the idea, but think it should be filmed in the US or a neutral country. I don’t think Chael would be able to survive six weeks in Brazil.